Rivian just sold 41,100 vehicles in the latest quarter, surging past Chevrolet to claim the #2 spot in the US EV market behind only Tesla's 386,000 units.
This Rivian sales jump US market marks a 45.7% year-over-year increase even as overall EV sales dipped 30%. Year-to-date growth sits at 26-27%, and it happened before the full Rivian R2 lineup arrives.
Context on the Numbers
Chevy came in third with around 39,000 units, showing Rivian vs Tesla EV ranking remains lopsided at the top. Tesla still dominates, but the gap below them is closing fast thanks to more affordable options and strong demand for adventure vehicles.
The Rivian R2 sales growth is already helping, though the current starting price near $58,000 limits how many buyers can jump in. Once it drops toward $40-45k, expect even bigger gains against traditional brands.
What This Means for Tesla Owners
For Tesla owners eyeing a switch, the current Rivian autonomy plus update feels like a step backward. It performs like Autopilot from a decade ago, so don't expect the same hands-free highway experience yet. I'm personally waiting on the December release to see real improvements.
That said, if off-roading is your thing, the Rivian R2 delivers capability Tesla simply doesn't match. Check the full delivery timeline and early impressions in our launch series.
Details on the upcoming autonomy software are also worth watching in our Rivian autonomy early access program coverage.
Bottom Line
Rivian is proving it can scale without Tesla-level pricing power. US EV sales Q3 2026 will likely show even more pressure on the rest of the field once R2 pricing improves. If you're thinking of selling your Tesla to make the move, Plug Motors — get an instant offer to sell your Tesla or EV can get you a strong payout.
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